Living in Sai Consciousness - Saithree Mantras

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Living in Sai Consciousness through SAITHREE

Dedicated at the Lotus Feet of our Beloved Swami with Koti Pranams by Ghandikota

V. Subba Rao on Guru Purnima 1999 - (Based on a talk given in Trayee Brindavan

May 20, 1999)

SAITHREE

This Avatar of Shri Sathya Sai has multiple dimensions, manifold powers, and

multifarious manifestations. However, in this article attention is focused on

three aspects of Sai consciousness culminating finally in the state of

transcendental Consciousness (Thureeya). These three aspects are together

termed SAITHREE.

Baba is the most Modern, Wondrous, and Splendorous Manifestation of Divinity: He

is the living, loving, lovely Lord right before us now. The question is how do

we relate ourselves, on a daily basis, to this Fire of Spiritual Energy and

Love-Incarnate, who is moving amidst us.

Three bodies and states

In Vedhik literature, there is a recurring theme of three types of forms:

1.      the outer - gross, physical, material - body (sthuula dheha),

2.     the subtle, inner - astral, subconscious - body (suukshma dheha), and

3.     the innermost and final form, the causal body (kaarana dheha), which is

the subtlest manifested state.

We must try to separate and understand the scope of the three levels.

These three forms can be viewed as

1.      the body level;

2.      the psychosomatic level of the intellect, experience locked into

subconscious, memories, and ego; and

3.      the causal vital-force (praanik) level, which exists in all the three

states: waking, dream and deep sleep.

The individual or microscopic aspect of existence, at the body/waking level

(involved with Karma), is called Vishva; the subtler astral body at the dream

level is called Thaijas; and the causal (deep-sleep/unmanifest) life level is

called Praajna. Aathma is the permanent feature of all these three states, and

yet, it is apart and transcends the three into the transcendental

super-conscious state (Thureeya), where, in an enlightened person in samaadhi,

Aathma experiences Parabrahmam

(the supreme Absolute Reality) directly. Aathma is the enjoyer of the three

"lower" states mentioned above.

Linkage with Cosmic Divine Forces

Each individual conscious entity is also linked to the cosmic level: the

collective macrocosmic level of all physical bodies (vishvas) is called Viraat;

the sum total of all subtle bodies is called Hiranyagarbha, and the sum total of

all causal bodies (Praajna) is called Eeshvara. The wakeful state (jagratha

avastha) is the last state of evolution of the universe, but it is the first

state in the order of involution. When we, as individual conscious entities,

link ourselves with the cosmic Divine level of these three forms, we align

ourselves with the respective causes and attain progressive emancipation from

the endless cycle of birth and death

(krama mukthi).

In the Rig-Vedha and Yajur-Vedha, we find hymns about the processes of creation.

At the Cosmic, Praajna, level of deep sleep (the unmanifest or latent state),

God is called Eeshvara. When the ideational principle takes effect, we have the

Hiranyagarbha aspect. This is where the transcendental "waters" of creation

become organized into life-supportive forces. Eeshvara manifests itself from

Parabrahman, and Hiranyagarbha manifests itself from Eeshvara. Viraat

Manifests itself from Hiranyagarbha. Prakrithi or nature is the manifestation of

Viraat. Prabrahman, the Supreme Cosmic Divine Principle inheres as well as

transcends Its three macrocosmic states of Viraat (Cosmic Body), Hiranyagarbha

(Cosmic Mind-Intellect) and Eeshvara (Cosmic Life). Thaijas is the "shining

effulgence" corresponding, at the Cosmic level, to Hiranyagarbha. Hiranyagarbha

is the In-dweller, the Inner Controller, the Antharyaamin; It is the thread that

runs through all the flowers of the garland, the unifying principle of the

individual with the collective, the Divine-Love Principle, the Suuthraathma.

Divine Universal Love Principle

The Brahma Sutra is the cosmic divine thread of love, the cause of all causes of

all manifestations. Here, there is no logic chopping; only the intellectuals are

fond of that, as Bhagawan Baba says. If you link the Self at the body level with

the cosmos, you shall attain great expansion.

Through love, you multiply your power to the power of infinity. Such meditations

are taught in the Upanishaths. First, link self with family; then, gradually,

with friends, society, city, country, planet, solar systems, galaxy, universe

(as in Jyothi/Light Meditation). Remember that the power of the microcosm is

multiplied manifold as it links closer and deeper with the macrocosm.

The Purusha Suuktha of the Rig-Vedha tells us to link the individual with the

cosmic at various levels, the physical level being the first. Then comes

linkage at the mental level. In the super-conscious state, sages and yogis have

had the vision of Hiranyagarbha (meaning golden self-shining seed force, from

which are generated the universes). Consciousness persists through all the

states of evolution/involution. At the Hiranyagarbha-Thaijas level is the

spiritual heart, where one can meditate to foster the link-up with the divine

cosmic energy.

All these forms relate to cosmic energies, which the individual links through

meditation. This Hiranyagarbha or Supreme Love principle is the first

manifestation from Parabrahman, the never-changing Supreme Being. As Bhagawan

Baba states, "I separated Myself from Myself in order to love Myself." From the

Hiranyagarbha emanated the universes and, in the process, all the components of

the cosmos. Macrocosm and microcosm have the same structure: The living cell

(anda), human embryo (pinda), and cosmos (Brahmanda) are all egg shaped or

linga shaped.

Golden Lingam emerges from Baba's mouth

On Maha Shivarathri 1999, Bhagawan Baba came to emit from His divine stomach an

effulgent golden Linga, exemplifying the divine love principle. Hiranyagarbha

is divine love. Baba refers to mother's love, which transforms blood into milk

for the baby's sustenance. We experience this loving-mother principle from the

first day of our existence. Similarly, divine love emerges from the navel and

rises up from the spiritual heart, on our right side.

I witnessed the emission of this Golden Linga from Baba's mouth on the last Maha Shivarathri day.

Baba smacked the Linga three times on the stone ground, saying that Divinity is

unbreakable because it expresses "solid" love! He said that this Hiranyagarbha

Linga bestows spiritual power to achieve liberation. Love is the bonding and

organizing principle of the universe, and of the microcosm. It interpenetrates

everything. Sathya Sai is the Hiranyagarbha in an embodied form.

The Hiranyagarbha Principle

The epithets of Prema (love) and Sathya (truth) that appear in the Sai

Hiranyagarbha Gaayathree are authenticated by the references to the

Hiranyagarbha Principle in the Upanishaths, particularly Brihadha-aranyaka

Upanishath. These are also authenticated in Baba's talks on Hiranyagarbha. The

word "Sathya" is divided as Sa-Thi-Ya, Sa and

italic">Ya representing God and Thi symbolizing Prakriti (nature). In other

words, the Absolute Supreme covers the phenomenal middle; Nature is sandwiched

between the Divine Principle or noumenon (the substratum of all phenomena) and

the same Supreme Divinity.

1. Prema. It was in Delhi that I witnessed Baba as a great magnet of love power,

drawing hundreds of thousands to Him. He is Love Incarnate. Hence, the first

line of Sai Hiranyagarbha Gaayathree reads, Premaathmanaaya Vidhmahe. This

means that we have come to realize that this SAI is the embodiment of Divine

Love.

2. Baba is also Hiranyagarbha, with the shining golden love principle emerging

from Him as a solid Linga. Therefore, the second line of the Sai Hiranyagarbha

Gaayathree reads Hiranyagarbhaaya Dheemahi. This means that we meditate with

all our heart on this golden-wombed divine Sathya Sai. In such a meditation,

the feeling "I am linking with Sai Hiranyagarbha, the cosmic divine Mind and

Intellect" should be evoked. Such a linkage is bound to greatly enhance our

mental and intellectual energies.

3. Truth principle: The third line is the key to the Sai Hiranyagarbha

Gaayathree. This Avathaar's name is Sathya, and He also stands by the truth

principle. He is the God of Truth. It is said in the Upanishaths that the

second name of Hiranyagarbha is "Sathyam". Hence, the third line reads, Thannah

Sathyah Prachodhayaath. This means "May this God of truth and love lead us on

the path of liberation."

It is important to mention here that I was extremely thrilled when Baba Himself

graciously filled in this third line when I was groping for the right words.

The taking out of the Hiranyagarbha Linga by Baba has twin benefits: at the

individual level, those who witness (or deeply meditate on) its emergence are

freed from rebirth and, at the Collective or World level the birth of the Linga

from the Divine Stomach results in the spread of Saathvik Love at a time when

the world is engulfed in mortal hatred and violence. That is why Baba recently

declared that He would be taking out Hiranyagarbha Lingas in future years.

Enlightenment and liberation through LOVE is the message of Baba for the New

Millennium. Love is the emanation of Truth. "Truth is the current

and Love is the bulb it illumines. Through Truth you can experience Love,

through Love you can visualize Truth" says Baba.

SAITHREE

The three Sai Gaayathrees, given below, are potent Mantras for facilitating the

linkage of the individualized Self (Jeevaathma) with the Omni or Supreme Self

(Paramaathma). Transformation through love must occur at all three levels --the

waking, dream, and deep sleep stages. That is the Sai Vision for the new

millennium. Take the example of a coconut. The hard outer shell is comparable

to the waking or Vishva state; the soft kernel to the dreaming or Thaijas

state; and the water, the innermost element, to the

deep-sleep or Praajna state. Out of the water comes the kernel; out of the

primeval waters arose the foremost or first principle, the Hiranyagarbha, who

is called the first-born in the Vedas.

Sathya Sai is also the Sai Surya (Sun God). The Sun is the most impressive

manifestation of self-effulgence in a physical form. Similarly, Sathya Sai Baba

is the most powerful manifestation of divine energy in human form. That is why

He rode the Golden Sun Chariot, symbolizing a historic event in the unfolding

of the Sai Avatar. As I watched that event on 22 September 1997, I was inspired

to compose the Sai Surya Gaayathree. This Mantra relates to the Viraat or body

level in the Cosmic Form.

The Sai Hiranyagarbha Gaayathree Mantra flashed in my mind when I was

contemplating on Sathya Sai emitting from His mouth the golden Linga on Mahaa

Shivaraathri in 1999. This Mantra enables us to link with the Divine Cosmic

Mind, i.e. Hiranyagarbha.

With regard to the Sai (Eeshvara) Gaayathree, which was revealed in 1977 by the

revered Vedhik scholar Ghandikota Subrahmanya Shastriji, it serves as a bridge

to the Divine Cosmic Life Principle of Eeshvara in SAI.

SAI (Eeshvara) Gaayathree

OM. Saayeeshvaraaya Vidmahe

Sathya-Dhevaaya Dheemahi

Thannah-Sarvah Prochodhayaath

Best Chanting/Meditation Time: Dawn

Individual State Relating to Cosmic State: Praajna Eeshvara

SAI Surya Gaayathree

OM. Bhaaskaraaya Vidhmahe

Sai-Dhevaaya Dheemahi

Tannah-Suuryah Prochodhayaath

Best Chanting/Meditation Time: Noon

Individual State Relating to Cosmic State: Vishva Viraat

SAI Hiranyagarbha Gaayathree

OM. Premaathmanaaya Vidhmahe

Hiranyagarbhaaya Dheemahi

Tannah-Sathyah Prochodhayaath

Best Chanting/Meditation Time: Dusk

Individual State Relating to Cosmic State: Thaijasa Hiranyagarbha

Chanting SAITHREE

Mantras are the bridges that enable us to cross from the individual to the

collective and Divine Consciousness, so that we realize the totality of our

Being. This is merging, or liberation (mukthi).

Brahma Muhuurtha, fresh from the deep sleep state of Praajna (early morning), is

the best time to chant Saayeshvara Gaayathree, so that our causal body is linked

with the cosmic life principle of Sai Eeshvara.

The waking state (jaagrath avastha), which is at its maximum at midday, is the

appropriate time for chanting the Sai Surya Gaayathree; and the right time for

chanting the Hiranyagarbha Gaayathree is the evening, before we slip off into

the "dream" state of Thaijas.

It may be noted that each of these three Manthras dedicated to the Lord Sathya

Sai are in the holy Vedhik metre called Gaayathree (the chanting of which leads

to Liberation). Each Gaayathree Manthra consists of three parts, each part

containing eight holy Vedhik letters, thus totaling in all twenty four letters

(signifying the twenty four cosmic life principles). The first part of each

Gaayathree Mantra denotes adoration, the second part relates to meditation and

the third part connotes prayer. Gaayathree stands for the

Universal Mother Goddess principles of Life, Love and Learning.

The above three Gaayathrees constitute a single combined entity, which may be

called SAITHREE, a term used by Bhagawan Baba. This three-in-one sacred formula

signifies the three Divine Glories of Shri Sathya Sai Baba as the Divine

Governor at the gross level, at the subtle or psychosomatic level, and at the

vital force or causal level.

SAITHREE, the triple Sai Gaayathree Mantras, which are dedicated to Bhagawan

Baba, are powerful aids to devotees in enabling them to live in Divine Sai

Consciousness. Bhagawan Sathya Sai, in accordance with His mission of making

everyone realize their inherent divinity, multiplies the devotees’ capacities

and faculties of perception, action, and response, and also energy levels, by

purifying them and suffusing them through with Cosmic Divine Power through His

unbounded Love and Absolute Eternal Bliss Form.

Sai Shivoham

This is the five-lettered Panchaakshari Mantra, which identifies oneself as none

other than Sai-Shiva, the modern and yet primordial ancient principle of

Divinity.

The meditations on the Saithree Mantras lead the aspirant to total enlightenment

at the non-dual stage of Sai Shivoham, signifying the identity of the individual

Self with the Divine Cosmic Source and Force represented by Sai-Shiva.

A tabulated elaboration of Saithree Mantras, along with their characteristics,

appears in the following Appendix.

Sai (Eeshvara) Gaayathree 

Mantra

OM. Sayeeshvaraaya Vidhmahe

Sathya-Dhevaaya Dheemahi

Thannah-Sarvah Prochodhayaath

Meaning: We know this Sai is Supreme Divinity incarnate. We meditate on this God

of Truth. May this Almighty Personality lead us on the path of total liberation

Concerns and Linkages

(a) Body: Causal

(b) Sheath: Aanandhamaya (bliss)

© State: Deep sleep

(d) Aspect:

(i) Individual: Praajna (Latent/unmanifest State)

(ii) Cosmic: Svaraat/Eeshvara (Self-illuminating entity, reaching identity of

the individual living being with the Cosmic Divine Self

(e) Level of consciousness: Deepest consciousness, attaining Saaruupya or

essential equality with the Cosmic Divine Self.

(f) Manifest aspect of Divinity: Sai Eeshvara ( Sai as Supreme Divinity)

(g) Faculty/energy level: jnaana-shakthi (power of spiritual knowledge)

(h)Operational Value: Egolessness through self surrender

Revelation

Time: December 24, 1977 Occasion: Christmas Eve Place: Thrayee Brindhaavan

Chanting time

Ideally, 4 AM - 10 AM (morning, on getting up)

Form of Meditation

Sathya Sai visualized at the heart of the five-faced Veda Mata Gaayathree, whose

idol was installed by Baba in Prashanthi Nilayam.

Benefits/ Powers

Super-conscious illumination, culminating in bliss; Saaruupya (living in Sai

consciousness at the deepest level or totality of personality). Aanandhamaya:

Bliss-filled form.

Sai Surya Gaayathree  Mantra

OM. Bhaaskaraaya Vidhmahe

Sai-Dhevaaya Dheemahi

Thannah-Suuryah Prochodhayaath

Meaning: We know this Self-shining Being. We meditate on this Divinity as Sai

Surya. May this Divine Light enlighten us on the path of liberation

Concerns and Linkages

(a) Body: Gross

(b) Sheath: Physical/Food

© State: Waking

(d) Aspect: (i) Individual: Vishva (Embodied self in the Waking State), (ii)

Cosmic:  Viraat (Macro Cosmic Form: the Lord as the Manifested Cosmos.

(e) Level of consciousness: Consciousness of the outer world

(f) Manifest aspect of Divinity: Sai Surya (Sun God)

(g) Faculty/energy level: Kriyaa-shakthi (Power of action)

(h)Operational Value: Self-sacrifice through service to others.

Inspiration

Time: 7:00 AM, September 22, 1997 Occasion: Sathya Sai riding the Golden Chariot

Place: Sai Kulvanth Hall, Prashanthi Nilayam

Chanting time

Ideally, 10 AM - 4 PM

Form of Meditation

Visualize Sathya Sai as riding the resplendent Golden Chariot drawn by seven

gold horses (as in the picture)

Benefits/ Powers

Health, strength, skill, stamina, culminating in Saalokya

(Living in Sai consciousness at the Waking state)

Sanmaya: filled with existential reality.

Sai Hiranyagarbha Gaayathree     

Mantra

OM. Premaathmanaaya Vidhmahe

Hiranyagarbhaaya Dheemahi

Thannah-Sathyah Prochodhayaath

Meaning: We know this Embodiment of Divine Love, Sathya Sai. We meditate on this

Golden-Wombed Divine Personality. May Truth-incarnate, Sathya Sai, inspire us on

the path of liberation.

Concerns and Linkages

(a) Body: Subtle

(b) Sheath: Praanamaaya, Manomaya and Vijnaanama (Vital, Mental, and Intellectual)

© State: Dream

(d) Aspect:

(i) Individual: Thaijas (Embodied self-shining entity in the dream state)

(ii) Cosmic: Samraat/ Hiranyagarbha (sovereign or centrally-shining entity)

(e) Level of consciousness: Subconscious-psychosomatic Conscience.

(f) Manifest aspect of Divinity Sai Hiranya Garbha Lingam (Golden-wombed Divinity)

(g) Faculty/energy level Ichhaa-shakthi (Will power)

(h) Operational Value: Inner self awareness through Control of senses.

Revelation

Time: 6:15 AM, February 15, 1999

Occasion: Lingodbhavam (Emergence of the Linga)

Place: Sai Kulvanth Hall, Prashanthi Nilayam

Chanting time

Ideally, 4 PM - 10 PM

(Evening until sleep overtakes)

Form of Meditation

Visualize Sathya Sai as emitting the Hiranyagarbha Linga from His mouth)

Benefits/ Powers

Love and Truth, culminating in Saameepya (Living in Sai consciousness at the

inner, Heart level) Chinmaya: filled with God awareness.

Sai Nondual Five-lettered (Panchaakshari) Mantra

Mantra

Sai Shivoham   Meaning: I am the Supreme Cosmic Divine Self  (Sai Shiva)

Concerns and Linkages

(a) Body: Berefit of body identification

(b) Sheath: Beyond senses

© State: Transcendental (thureeya)

(d) Aspect:

(i) Individual: Jeevanmuktha (one who is liberated while living)

 (ii) Cosmic: Sarvaraat: Universally Self-shining Supreme Eternal Entity

(e) Level of consciousness: Constant integrated awareness of identity of

Jeevanmuktha with Paramaathma (f) Manifest aspect of Divinity: Parabrahma Sai

Shiva

 (g) Faculty/energy level: Sathyam, Shivam, Sundharam, Aanandham (truth, goodness, beauty, bliss)

 (h) Operational Value: Nirvikalpa samadhi (Super Conscious state, free from ideation).

Inspiration

Time: 6:15 AM, February 15, 1999

Occasion: Maha Shivarathri

Place: Sai Kulvanth Hall, Prashanthi Nilayam

Chanting time

For inner contemplation at any time

Form of Meditation

Visualize Sathya Sai at the heart of Shiva Linga and gradually trancending Name and Form.

Benefits/ Powers

Kaivalya/Saayujya (merging/living in total identity with the Supreme Cosmic

Divine Self, i.e. Sai Shiva.

Om That Sath 

Source: http://www.eaisai.com/baba/docs/saithree

Sent with Sai love – ‘’ 

 

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